FRIXGILLID.E — THE FIXCHES. 473 



Mountains, where its nest and eggs were obtained. The nests procured by 

 j\lr. Kidgway were all I'ouud about June G, except one, ten days later, show- 

 ing tliat these birds are lour or five weeks earlier in their breeding on the 

 Pacific tlian on the Atlantic coast. In tlie Uintah Mountains they were 

 breeding, as at the East, in July. 



The Cfoldlinch is to a large extent gregarious and nomadic in its liabits, 

 and only for a short portion of the year do these birds separate into pairs for 

 the purposes of reproduction. During at least three fourths of the year they 

 associate in small flocks, and wander about in an irregular and uncertain 

 manner in quest of their food. They are resident throughout the j-ear in 

 New England, and also throughout the greater portion of the country, their 

 presence or absence being regulated to a large extent by the abundance, 

 scarcity, or absence of their favorite kinds of food. In the winter, the seeds 

 of the taller weeds are their principal means of subsistence. In the sum- 

 mer, the seeds of the thistle and other plants and weeds are sought out 

 by these interesting and busy gleaners. They are abundant in gardens, and 

 as a general thing do very little harm, and a vast amount of benefit in the 

 destruction of the seeds of troublesome weeds. As, however, they do not 

 always discriminate bet\\een seeds that are troublesome and those that are 

 desirable, the Goldfinches are unwelcome visitors to the farmers who seek to 

 raise their own seeds of the lettuce, turnip, and other similar vegetables. 

 They are also very fond of the seeds of the sunflower. 



Owing possibly to the scarcity of proper food for their young in the early 

 summer, the Goldfinches are quite late before they mate and raise their single 

 brood. It is usually past the 10th of July before their nests are constructed, 

 and often September before their Ijroods are ready to fly. 



The song of the Goldfinch — very different from their usual plaintive cry 

 or call-note, uttered as they are flying or when they are feeding — is very 

 sweet, brilliant, and pleasing ; most so, indeed, when given as a solo, with no 

 other of its kindred within hearing. I know of none of our common singers 

 that excel it in either respect. Its notes are higher and more flute-like, and 

 its song is more prolonged than that of the Pui-ple Finch. Where large 

 flocks are found in the spring or early summer, the males often join in a very 

 curious and remarkable concert, in which the voices of the several performers 

 do not always accord. In spite of this frequent want of harmony, these con- 

 certs are varied and pleasing, now ringing like the loud voices of the Canary, 

 and now sinking into a low soft warble. 



I)uring the warm summer weather the Goldfinch is very fond of bathing, 

 and the sandy shehing margins of brooks are always their favorite places 

 of resort for this purpose. I do not think they ever raise more than a single 

 brood in a season in Xew England, and are in this somewhat irregular, de- 

 positing their eggs from July 10 to September, as it may happen. 



They usually select a small upright tree, such as a young elm, apjDle, or 

 pear, or a tall shrub, for their nest, which they rarely place higher than fen 

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